Watertown's Former Five-Term Mayor Offers His Take on Life in the North Country and Beyond

Thursday, July 28, 2016

WDT: City to Talk With Centro About Bus System

City Hall is going to meet with officials of CNY's Centro bus system. A possible takeover has been proposed by Councilman Mark Walczyk.
The bus system has more federal dollars available, but my observation has been it reacts slowly to need for route change to meet today's needs. Outside management could provide objective outside the box policy decisions not hindered by the stasis of existing bureaucracy.
On the other hand is control.
Whether Centro wants the operation is not known.http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/officials-exploring-watertowns-involvement-in-citibus-20160728

655 you need to get more information on this topic. Do a search using the term "privatization disasters" and you will see that moving away from governmental systems is not always the answer.

In this case it may, or may not, make sense. I have not yet heard enough information to make an informed decision. What I can tell you is that the current bus system is working well for the majority of riders, and the city bus system is well run and has a good group of very dedicated and professional employees. Whatever is done, I sincerely hope that the system here in the city is largely preserved as so many people do rely on the service for many reasons. I also hope that the people who currently work for the bus system are shown the respect that they deserve. I am very cautious of privatization programs because they mean a loss of local control and accountability.

With regard to fire protection you should research the experiences of Rural Metro (a private fire protection and ambulance company). When privatization of fire services was attempted it was a disaster. So be careful when you make broad statements such as "it always, always, always makes sense". This is simply not true and there are many cases that show this. Do some research and I think you may change your mind.

Funny 656, this suggestion has been bantied around before and Centro didnt want it, and just to let you know DANC and other entities have been approached about running the Sewer and water plants..There costs were higher than using City Employees, and you lose control of your govt.

Why? I see no rational reason here for Syracuse to take over. Perhaps we can set routes with smaller more efficient busses and routes. As I have said before I continue to see the big clunkers sometimes almost empty back and forth. That is not very efficient.

Why not bring in the #1 transit bus system operators in the world (NYC transit) to come here and help evaluate ours (#2 BTW is SF).

And, why do have "leaders" in office here who always dish everything out or bring a lot in from the outside. Just asking.

While in almost every case public transportation is a money loser, the Watertown System takes it to extremes. According to the newspaper article the system collect about $160,000 in annual revenue but costs a million dollars a year to operate. Surely there's a more efficient and cost effective way to address public transportation need in and around the city.

Doesn't hurt to look at anything. Just seems funny as another possible public works section biting the dust....airport, parks and recreation, dog pound, zoo, city hall maintenance...and now bus....I guess some departments down size in responsibilities but you never see any budgets go down!

I read with interest the listing of people going to the transportation meeting in Syracuse with CENTRO and wondered why Mrs. Jennie Adsit wasn't on the list. She has been a Transportation Committee member for years, and her involvement in bus issues over the years has been stellar! Her knowledge and interest should be included in discussions and decisions.

Yet another attack on municipal employment. We wonder why our kids leave but continue to ensure that good paying jobs are not available. This administration will not stop until they eliminated most municipal employment.

So many jobs eliminated already and still on the hunt. Lets see, 16 in the fire department, then sanitation, bus, water and sewer. I heard during the last election that the city wanted to eliminate over 100 local jobs. Looks to me like the plan (of the old council) is still alive and well.

Be prepared to pay more for less citizens of Watertown. Higher taxes and less services; this is what you get from the current administration. Your opportunity will present itself with the elections of 2018. Don't know who would want the job of cleaning up this mess, but sure hope we get new blood in there. Time to give both Mac and Jennings the boot. Once Butler is out in 2020 then maybe we will have a fresh council.

You're delusional 12:18. You may not like Jennings, but most people do. He wins his next election handily. Macaluso wins too if she wants to continue. Why so quick to write off Mayor Butler? The truth of the matter is you are a disgruntled fireman, frustrated beyond measure that we now have a Council that can see through your bullshit and fight to change it. Exactly what we need.